Watching Sunset On Kona’s Coastline

For our last night on Hawaii’s Big Island we stayed on the Kona coast, and just like so many other nights in Hawaii it offered up a fantastic sunset. Despite the signs warning people away I spent a while exploring the rocks outside the Sheraton hotel looking for some interesting foreground to shoot.

The boat you can see out to the right is not there for the sunset, but to serve as a base for people snorkelling and scuba diving to see the Manta Rays that are very common in this part of the world. Unfortunately we didn’t have a chance to experience it this time around.

The Manta Rays have been ‘trained’ to associate light with plankton, so after dark they are attracted to the torches that tour guides shine under the water. I just need to become a certified diver so that I can get down there and take some photos!

One Last Sunset On Maui

After three weeks in Hawaii, this was the perfect way to say goodbye. Whilst our time on the south shore of Maui was short, I was hopeful we’d get to see one last sunset over the ocean before it was time to leave.

Unfortunately our last day on the islands was plagued by an unusual amount of rain which kept us inside for most of the day. But the bad weather lifted just before 6:30pm. I rushed out from our hotel to the ocean at Mokapu Beach Park so I could shoot the sunset.

It didn’t take long for me to find some interesting foreground on the shores of Hawaii. There were fantastic lava rock formations almost everywhere we went. It was at this moment I realised how much I was going to miss the ocean once we returned to Switzerland, but also how lucky I was to even be there at all.

A Bumpy Ride Towards A Phuket Sunrise

With the wind in my hair I volunteered to sit at the front of the boat, having no idea that it was the most uncomfortable spot on the thing. Especially in choppy conditions! Riding towards the sunrise in Phuket must be one of my most memorable experiences to date.

I may have been fearing for the integrity of my spine as I bounced up and down with the waves. But being at the front meant I had an unobstructed view of the beauty unfolding right in front of us. I didn’t regret a minute of it, although my back may have disagreed at the time.

Placing the boat in the foreground to provide some perspective and a sense of place, I wanted to use the middle of the bow as a subtle leading line to the sunrise. Trying to get a clean shot while being thrown about every few seconds proved very difficult! I definitely didn’t have many keepers at the end of the trip, but fortunately one or two made the cut.

Do you have any tales of woe from a boating experience? Or maybe you’ve tried shooting from a fast moving vehicle before? I’d love to hear from you!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Sea

The first thing that comes to mind when I think about this week’s photo challenge is coastal drives. And is there any better than Highway 1 in California? Driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles was definitely my favourite road trip to date, but I really struggled to capture the true scale of the landscape’s grandeur in any photos.

The great vastness of the ocean has the ability to make you feel very small, especially when coupled with a dramatic coastline. From slowly eroding cliff faces to flooded coastal cities, the power of the oceans is undeniable. Whenever I find myself looking out at the sea I always end up at the same thought – nature will have its way and we are powerless to stop it.

What’s your favourite coastal drive? Have you driven Highway 1? Please feel free to share your thoughts below!

You might also like:

• Weekly Photo Challenge: Layers
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Habit
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Eerie
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Horizon